Carroll's dramatic homer keeps Oceanside perfect

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Oceanside American will bask in the
limelight a little longer. David Carroll made sure of that Sunday
afternoon.

David's three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning
gave the California and West champions a 5-2 victory over South
Lake Charles, La., at the 55th Little League World Series. The
dramatic, game-ending homer assures that Oceanside will advance to
the United States semifinal round after pool play concludes
today.

Oceanside takes on Brownsburg, Ind., at 4 p.m. today. Both
squads are 2-0 in pool play and will advance regardless of the
outcome. At stake is first place in Pool A. If Oceanside wins, it
will open the single-elimination round Wednesday. If it loses, it
will play Thursday.

The outcome of the contest against South Lake Charles, the Gulf
States champion, was in doubt until David's hit. The game was tied
2-2 when David came up in a bunting situation. He took advantage of
a slim opportunity.

Matt Cerda singled to left to start the sixth. Richard Cranford
laid down a perfect bunt and beat the pitcher's throw to first.

With two men on, the strategy called for a bunt.

"I told David he would get one pitch," said third base coach
Mike Cerda. "I told him to pick out a good strike, but if it wasn't
there he was going to be bunting on the second pitch."

David never had a chance to bunt. He picked on a curveball and
sent a low line drive into right center field

"I wasn't sure if it was going to go out," said David.

But the ball continued to travel over the fence, giving
Oceanside its 20th straight postseason victory.

David was all smiles as he rounded the bases. When he got to
Cerda at third he looked up and said, "I didn't want to bunt,
coach."

Manager Daryl Wasano started David at first base but had him out
of the game for a couple of innings. He reinserted him into the
lineup to bat in the final inning.

"I wanted his bat back in there," said Wasano. "He has been
struggling, but it was good to see him do well."

Carroll may have hit a harder ball in the second inning, but his
liner was right at the South Lake Charles left fielder.

Still, he'll take this memory.

"I have always dreamed of doing that, hitting a home run at the
World Series," David said.

David, who has three game-ending home runs this season, liked
being up with the game on the line.

"I knew I had to put the ball in play and make something
happen," he said.